Kargil, Dec 30, 2024: Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil, Dr. Mohd Jaffer Akhoon today held a meeting regarding the issue of the official language of Ladakh.

Councillor, Sajjad Hussain, Abdul Samad, Advocate Khadim Hussain, Aga Syed-ain-ul Huda, Padma Shri Awardee Akhone Asgar Ali Basharat, besides eminent scholars, writers, literary personalities representing various languages of Kargil including Shina, Purgi, Balti and Brokskat were present in the meeting.

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During the meeting, thorough deliberations and discussions were held pertaining to the recognition of the official language of Ladakh. Renowned Purgi Writer, Mohd Issa Sabiri gave a power point presentation regarding the linguistic history of Ladakh.

Prominent writers and historians, including Raza Amjad Budgami, Sadiq Hardasi, Issa Sabri, Mohd Shafi Sagar, Nasir Khafi, and others, shared their insights, highlighting the historical and factual significance of languages such as Balti, Purgi, Shina, and Borkskat in the geographical history of Ladakh.

The LAHDC decided that the Bhoti language should not be imposed as the official language of the entire Ladakh, noting that even historical references have never ever mentioned the word “Bhoti” in the context of Ladakh’s history.

However, it was reiterated that there would be no objection if a section of society would rename their language as “Bhoti” within their geographical limits.

Various suggestions were put forward during the discussion. One proposal was to notify all languages, including Purgi, Balti, and Shina, as the official language of Ladakh, on the pattern of Jammu and Kashmir and Skim.

If this suggestion does not receive attention from the government, it was recommended that, considering the majority linguistic population, Purgi-Balti be recognized as the first official language, Shina as the second/additional official language, and Brokskat should be included in the regional languages list.

The H’CEC Kargil strongly expressed his disagreement over the imposition of a particular word “Bhoti” projected as a language of Ladakh by a section of the society.

He assured that the matter will be taken up with the higher authorities of the Government of India as well to intervene in the issue and hoped for a positive outcome.